Los Pleneros de 21

Los Pleneros de la 21, the premier Spanish Harlem-based performing ensemble and non-profit organization, was founded in 1983 by JUAN GUTIÉRREZ (1996 NEA Heritage Fellow) and MARCIAL REYES ARVELO. Having toured extensively both nationally and internationally for over two decades, LP21 are considered New York’s preeminent BOMBA AND PLENA AMBASSADORS, bringing Puerto Rican culture to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Latin America, Australia, Berlin, and countless other countries and prominent venues. They are the first Puerto Rican ensemble to perform in Carnegie Hall.

Los Pleneors is an exceptional intergenerational mix of Puerto Rican Folk Masters and professional musicians united to expose the importance of traditional Puerto Rican music and cultural legacies and they have pioneered the road for Bomba and Plena performance, paving the way for many of the emerging Bomba and Plena groups in NY and beyond. Their unique musical style, integrating traditional and modern influences was described as such: “While Bomba and Plena music is lots of fun all on its own, this group takes it to another level…Catch one of their performances; I guarantee you won’t be sitting down for long, they’ll make sure of that!” (Album review).